Description
There is something quietly compelling about a wine tasting cup that has actually been used. This vintage French silver-plated tasting cup — known in French wine tradition as a tastevin — carries the Bourgognes Patriarche medallion on its handle and the honest wear of a working life in cellar culture. It is the kind of object that collectors of French wine memorabilia immediately recognise and rarely put down.
About the Piece
Shallow tasting dishes of this form were designed for the practical business of the wine cellar: examining colour and clarity by candlelight or under low cellar conditions. The textured pressed interior catches light in a way that plain bowls cannot, helping tasters read the wine before it ever reached a glass. The Bourgognes Patriarche medallion handle gives this particular example a strong old-world wine merchant identity, anchoring it firmly in the Burgundy wine tradition of France.
Stamped to the reverse with M&P and what appears to be a silver mark, the piece carries its provenance openly. An unusual decorative object with practical roots — equally at home in a wine cellar display, a bar, a study, or a collection of French curios and wine memorabilia.
Details & Specifications
- Object: Wine tasting cup / tasting dish
- Maker: M&P (stamped to reverse)
- Origin: France
- Material: Silver-plated metal
- Theme: Bourgognes Patriarche wine cellar interest
- Length: Approx. 10 cm (3.9″) including handle
- Width: Approx. 7.5 cm (3.0″)
- Depth: Approx. 2 cm (0.8″)
Condition Report
- Good vintage condition overall
- Light age-related wear and surface marks consistent with use and age
- Some natural patina to the metal surface — adds character rather than detracting from it
- Stamped to the reverse with M&P and what appears to be a silver mark
- Please inspect all photographs carefully as they form part of the description
Why It Endures
The tastevin is one of the most culturally specific objects in French food and drink history — instantly legible to collectors and wine enthusiasts the world over. This example, with its Bourgognes Patriarche branding and honest vintage wear, is the kind of timeless piece that looks as considered on a drinks cabinet as it does in a dedicated collection. A quiet, confident object with real provenance and character.
Carefully packed and shipped with tracking from Sweden. Combined shipping available. US buyers: import duties and handling fees are prepaid and included in the shipping cost — no additional charges on arrival.
